Thinking about international flights from Fukuoka

A Happy New Year to everyone!

Today I would like to think about international flights at Fukuoka after privatization.

The summary is as follows.

On May 16, 2018, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) announced that it will be privatized the airport from April 1 this year. The ministry decided to entrust the operating rights to a private sector company, Fukuoka Airport Holdings Corporation established by local enterprises such as the Nishi-Nippon Railroad company (Nishitetsu), the Kyushu Electric Power company and a consortium company consist of the Changi International Airport Group of Singapore and Mitsubishi Corporation.

According to the plan, it will be strengthened for international flights; both the number of routes and passengers are planned to increase to up to 3 times more than now. Currently, there are 18 international routes from the airport, mainly in East and Southeast Asian directions. It will be shown that it is an intention to expand to 26 routes by 2023. In 2048, it will finally be increased the number of flights to around the world, Europe, North America and so on.

Furthermore, they will be established a new department specialized in attracting foreign airlines. Not only to conduct business activities both Japan and abroad in corporation with the sales base of the Changi Airport Group, but it will also be establish new routes by making effective discounts on landing fees which can be said to be the great advantage of privatization.

In addition, regarding corporation with Kitakyushu Airport, they will support as a role of complement with the current function of Fukuoka Airport e.g. guiding an airline company that wants early morning and late night flights, attracting cargo flights, and supporting freight handing to support cargo bases.
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I agree with their long-term plans to extend the routes of East and Southeast Asian countries which is the best use of Fukuoka's geographical advantage. But at this time, there are only budget airlines launch a new service to Fukuoka especially the Korean one. They like to travel to Fukuoka and Kyushu on their vacation because it is cheap. On the other hand, however, some full service carriers such as Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas and others have been take out of service. The another example is KLM, a dutch based company. KLM is the first airline to offer direct flights between Fukuoka and Europe in April 2013. However, it was suspended for less than three years due to the deterioration of the route condition and the fact that the exchange rate of Japanese yen caused a negative result of route revenue.

Dispute of the fact that the airport side still intends to establish a LCC terminal on the south of the International Terminal. They said it is the most cost effective way to travel across the country and abroad. Is it really necessary for us? The airport company will have to consider what is most convenient for us after privatization.